Many sources are predicting that it will be a quiet season
with no major catastrophic storms this year.Tropical Depression Bill, however, is making a significant impact on
multiple states including Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Louisiana, and
continues to effect Texas.Bill is going
to bring additional heavy rains leading to flash floods and possibly isolated
tornadoes with its winds throughout these states.According to The Weather Channel, “Bill has a very healthy inner core for an
inland tropical cyclone, and it is expected to remain a tropical depression
through early Saturday before degenerating into a remnant low.”Bill is the perfect example that quiet does
not mean uneventful.

Storms are measured and categorized by their winds, as seen
in the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale below.Like Bill, it is not always the wind speeds
that cause devastation.Several tropical
storms have left their mark by dropping up to 2 feet of rain within a 48 hour
period.It doesn’t always take a named
hurricane to cause catastrophic damage.

There are many storm types that call adjusters to
action.Is there really ever a quiet
season in the catastrophe insurance field?

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

Tropical Storm

Winds 39-73 mph

Minimal damage

Category 1

Winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt)

Minor damage to roofs, vinyl siding, gutters

Category 2

Winds 96-110 mph (83-95 kt)

Mild damage to roofs, windows, trees blown down

Category 3

Winds 111-129 mph (96-112 kt)

Major damage all the way to roof decking

Category 4

Winds 130-156 mph (113-136 kt)

Severe damage to roof and home structure

Category 5

Winds 157+ mph (137+ kt)

Catastrophic damage with homes destroyed

See what each category looks
like in this video from The Weather Channel